MILLTOWN — Cape Henlopen’s bats were as hot as the midday sun as the Vikings moved on in the DIAA softball state tournament with a 14-4 quarterfinal-round win at Saint Mark’s on May 25.
The Vikings, seeded sixth, had 16 hits, including four home runs. The highlight, which got Cape come early breathing room, was a grand slam in the second inning by Ava Calciano.
That came in the top of the second. Hayden Hudson began the inning with a single, and with one out, Natalya Roundtree also singled. Brianna Windish scored Hudson with a single, and another single, this one by Kenna Justice, loaded the bases. Saint Mark’s, the third seed, forced a runner at the plate for the second out, bringing Calciano to the plate. She sent a fly ball over the fence in right-center, clearing the bases.
The Vikings added two more in the fourth before the third-seeded Spartans mounted a rally of their own. Kate Lovett drilled a triple to right, but she was still there two outs later. Karlee Cathcart reached on an error, with Lovett scoring. The Spartans loaded the bases with a Maddie Casapulla single and a walk to Kimorah Neal, and Chloe Bedwell unloaded them with a triple to deep center, cutting the Cape lead to 7-4.
Vikings pitcher Abigail Marsh allowed just one more hit in the final four innings. Meanwhile, the Vikings turned to the long ball to add to their lead in the fifth. Alivia Heers drove a home run to left, scoring Windish and Calciano. Heers homered again in the seventh, as did Hudson.
Marsh allowed six hits finished with six strikeouts. Cape Henlopen (16-4) will play the second seed, Sussex Central, on May 29 at 4 p.m. at Sussex Technical High School.
Saint Mark’s finished the season 15-5.
Photos by Mike Lang.
